Youths To Ride In Bike-a-thon

COOPER CITY -- Children and teens can help raise money for cancer-stricken youngsters by participating in the city`s fifth annual Wheels for Life Bike-A- Thon.

Youth Crime Watch members of Cooper City will sponsor the event at 9 a.m. Saturday. Proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children`s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

The ride will honor St. Jude`s poster child, Jaime, a leukemia victim who is undergoing treatment at the research center.

``Most of the people who ride in this (bike-a-thon) are kids,`` said Cooper City Police Detective Jacquie James, event chairman. ``It is a way that kids can help kids by giving something of themselves. With each turn of the wheel, riders become spokespersons for all kids with cancer like Jaime.``

St. Jude, the largest childhood cancer center in the country, opened in 1962 and was founded by actor Danny Thomas.

The bike-a-thon will begin at the city`s Recreation Center next to City Hall. Participants can ride as many miles as they prefer along a one-mile route on Southwest 50th Place, Southwest 90th Terrace and Southwest 90th Way.

A special one-tenth of a mile route will be set up in the Recreation Center parking lot for youngsters riding tricycles and training wheel bikes. Police cadets will direct traffic during the bike-a-thon.

Riders who collect the most money will be awarded prizes.

The city`s police department will give away bicycles to each of the top girl and boy fund-raisers. All participants who collect $25 or more in pledges will receive certificates and free T-shirts from St. Judes. Those who raise $75 or more will take home certificates, T-shirts and tote bags.

Local businesses have donated prizes as well.

Sponsor forms can be picked up at the Recreation Center or at the Cooper City Police Department. A rain date is scheduled for Sept. 27. For more information, call James at 434-4300, extension 58.